Procedures & Services > Treatment Options > Retinal Laser Surgery

Retinal Laser Surgery is used for a variety of conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, presumed ocular histoplasmosis, and retinal tears or holes. The laser beam is a high-energy light that turns to heat when it is focused on the parts of the retina to be treated. This is called photocoagulation. The laser beam can seal leaking blood vessels from diabetic retinopathy. Laser is also used to destroy portions of the retina that are so severely damaged by diabetes that they develop neovascularization, a common complication of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In macular degeneration and presumed ocular histoplasmosis, laser treatment can be used to stop bleeding blood vessels in an attempt to prevent further vision loss. Laser surgery is also used to seal retinal tears and holes. In all of these conditions, the main purpose of laser surgery is to prevent further visual loss.